Jodie Foster’s “The Beaver,” the long-shelved drama starring Mel Gibson as a disturbed man who finds peace through a hand puppet, will make its debut on March 15 at the South by Southwest film festival. It’s not been decided whether Gibson — who has been laying low since the release of inflammatory audiotapes and domestic abuse allegations — will appear in support of the movie, The Los Angeles Times reports.

The festival’s organizers say they booked “The Beaver” at the urging of Foster, who will appear at the Austin, Texas, event.

“We didn’t want to become involved with a film that would hijack our festival with tabloid noise,” SXSW producer Janet Pierson told The Times. “But we were completely moved by the film itself. It’s a tough topic and incredibly well realized.”

“This is [Foster’s] chance to stand behind her work,” Pierson continued. “Her work has sort of gotten lost in this personal circumstance.”